Ask A Boston Expert: Tips For Building Gingerbread Houses

Creating a gingerbread house can be no easy feat, but when you have an insider's tips, it will surely be much easier. Instead of buying the pre-made box to put together at home this year, you can make your own creation. Here, Chef Joanne Chang and her team of bakers share tips on creating the perfect gingerbread house.

Joanne Chang (And Her Team Of Bakers)
Flour Bakery + Cafe
1595 Washington St.
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 267-4300
www.flourbakery.com

Ooey, gooey, Belgian chocolate brownies, fluffy coconut macaroons and oatmeal cookies better than your grandmother used to make are just some of the specialties found at Flour Bakery + Cafe. Joanne Chang and her team of bakers have created a menu designed to satiate any sweet tooth craving. From tarts and pies to wedding cakes, she has made a name for herself as one of Boston's best bakers. Today, there are four locations throughout the city, including Back Bay, the Fort Point Channel, Central Square (Cambridge) and the original South End. Here are her top tips to make your own intricate and exquisite gingerbread house.

"If the dough spreads at all in the oven, trim with serrated knife while still warm to keep straight lines. I learned this the hard way," says Chang. Gingerbread houses are full of flavor made with brown sugar, creamy butter, molasses, cinnamon and, of course, ginger. Keep in mind you will need enough for two side walls, two end walls and two roof panels as well as a door. "Measure twice, cut once," says Chang. "Make sure all your pieces line up before you cut and bake."

Melted gummy bears can be used as glue. Instead of opting for the traditional icing to hold the house together, try using melted gummy bears, which give the house added flavor as well when enjoying. If you do choose the more traditional icing route, Chang says "make your icing stiffer than you think you need — a rickety house is no fun." You can even use food coloring to give the house some additional style.

"Bake starlight mints in a small sprayed circular cookie cutter in the oven to create a stained glass window," Chang recommends. For other enhancements, save some gingerbread to create chimneys, Christmas trees and people. Gumdrops, hard candies, M&Ms and nonpareils can also be included. Remember, this is your house, so you can decorate it any way you would like.

Related: Boston's Best Pumpkin Patches

"There is more than a house; decorate a yard too to optimize the fun," says Chang. Add a small gingerbread Christmas tree and decorate with colored icing to look like ornaments. Create a colorful walkway out of hard candies. Add some gumdrop shrubs and give your gingerbread house some style.

"Personalize it. Put family member faces sticking out windows or make something that looks like a family heirloom to make your gingerbread house more homey," advises Chang. Remember, this is your personal creation so it is all about your imagination. However you decide to create and decorate your gingerbread house, it's most important to have fun while doing it.

Related: 5 New Thanksgiving Traditions To Start With Your Family